Practice Quiz — 50 Current Affairs MCQs with UPSC-Level Analysis | March 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS | MARCH 2026

This comprehensive practice quiz contains 50 UPSC-standard MCQs covering the most important current affairs developments from March 2026. Each question is followed by a detailed analytical explanation linking the topic to specific GS papers, making this an invaluable resource for both Prelims revision and Mains answer enrichment.

Instructions: Attempt all 50 questions first, then check the Answer Key with Detailed Analysis section below. Time yourself — aim for 60 minutes (slightly over 1 minute per question).

Practice Questions (1-50)

Q1. The Delhi Declaration on India-Arab cooperation specifically emphasizes sovereignty and territorial integrity concerns regarding which set of countries?
(a) Iraq, Syria, Yemen
(b) Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan
(c) Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia
(d) Sudan, Somalia, Libya

Q2. Consider the following pairs:
1. Government Securities — Issued by RBI on behalf of Government
2. Treasury Bills — Long-term debt instruments
3. Corporate Bonds — Issued by companies
Which pair(s) is/are correctly matched?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2 and 3
(c) Only 1 and 3
(d) All three

Q3. The 1837 Serengsia revolt was a significant tribal uprising involving:
(a) Ho Adivasis against British colonial rule
(b) Santhal tribes against the East India Company
(c) Munda rebellion against British indigo planters
(d) Bhil uprising against Maratha oppression

Q4. Regarding India-Russia energy cooperation, consider the following statements:
1. India imports crude oil from Russia.
2. Russia invests in Indian renewable energy projects.
Which of the above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q5. Consider the following statements about GPUs (Graphics Processing Units):
1. GPUs are essential for training large AI models due to parallel processing capability.
2. GPUs were originally designed for cryptocurrency mining.
Which of the above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q6. Regarding T-cells in the human immune system, which of the following statements are correct?
1. T-cells are produced in bone marrow.
2. T-cells mature in the thymus gland.
3. Helper T-cells coordinate the immune response by activating other immune cells.
Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) All of the above

Q7. India won the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup in which of the following years?
1. 2000
2. 2008
3. 2014
4. 2018
Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2 and 4

Q8. The START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) is primarily a bilateral agreement between:
(a) US and China
(b) US and United Kingdom
(c) NATO and Russia
(d) US and Russia

Q9. Regarding Project Cheetah, consider the following statements:
1. Cheetahs were brought exclusively from South Africa.
2. Kuno National Park is located in Madhya Pradesh.
3. India had indigenous cheetahs until 1952.
Which of the above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All of the above

Q10. Regarding agricultural exports from India to the United States, consider:
1. India is the single largest spice exporter to the US market.
2. Basmati rice is a major agri-export to the US.
Which of the above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q11. The Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve, recently in news for forest diversion, is located in:
(a) Rajasthan
(b) Uttarakhand
(c) Madhya Pradesh
(d) Maharashtra

Q12. The Brahmaputra underwater tunnel, approved by CCEA at Rs 18,662 crore, will be:
(a) India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel
(b) India’s second underwater tunnel after the Rohtang tunnel
(c) A rail-only tunnel connecting Assam to Arunachal Pradesh
(d) A road tunnel connecting Meghalaya to Assam

Q13. Which of the following statements about the Great Nicobar mega project is/are correct?
1. It was conceptualized by NITI Aayog in 2021.
2. The implementing agency is ANIIDCO.
3. Great Nicobar Island is India’s northernmost island.
Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) All of the above

Q14. The Naneghat caves, dating to the 1st century BCE, belong to which dynasty?
(a) Maurya dynasty
(b) Gupta dynasty
(c) Chalukya dynasty
(d) Satavahana dynasty

Q15. What percentage of global oil trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz?
(a) 10-15%
(b) 20-25%
(c) 35-40%
(d) 45-50%

Q16. Devika Sihag, who won the BWF Super 300 Thailand Masters, became which Indian woman to win a BWF title?
(a) 2nd
(b) 3rd
(c) 4th
(d) 5th

Q17. Archbishop Poola Anthony, India’s first Dalit Cardinal, heads the Archdiocese of:
(a) Hyderabad
(b) Mumbai
(c) Goa
(d) Chennai

Q18. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) was established in:
(a) 1920
(b) 1935
(c) 1940
(d) 1944

Q19. Narges Mohammadi, recently sentenced to 7 more years in prison, won the Nobel Peace Prize in:
(a) 2020
(b) 2021
(c) 2023
(d) 2024

Q20. In the recent Bangladesh elections, BNP won how many out of 300 seats?
(a) 175
(b) 209
(c) 250
(d) 280

Q21. Tarique Rahman, the BNP leader, returned to Bangladesh after how many years of self-exile?
(a) 10 years
(b) 17 years
(c) 20 years
(d) 25 years

Q22. The Paradip Port, which won the Swachhata Pakhwada Awards first prize, is located in:
(a) Andhra Pradesh
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Odisha
(d) West Bengal

Q23. The Kopra irrigation project, for which forest diversion was approved in the Durgavati Tiger Reserve, involves which rivers?
(a) Narmada and Tapti
(b) Ken and Betwa
(c) Son and Koel
(d) Byarma and Kopra

Q24. Indira Point, India’s southernmost point, is located on:
(a) Great Nicobar Island
(b) Little Andaman Island
(c) Car Nicobar Island
(d) Katchal Island

Q25. The Ten Degree Channel separates:
(a) India from Sri Lanka
(b) Great Nicobar from Sumatra
(c) Lakshadweep from Maldives
(d) Andaman Islands from Nicobar Islands

Q26. Rouble Nagi, winner of the $1 million Global Teacher Prize, hails from:
(a) Jammu & Kashmir
(b) Kerala
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Assam

Q27. The Dalai Lama won his first Grammy Award at the age of:
(a) 85
(b) 87
(c) 88
(d) 90

Q28. Magnus Carlsen won the first-ever FIDE Freestyle Chess (Chess960) World Championship. Chess960 has how many possible starting positions?
(a) 960
(b) 720
(c) 864
(d) 1024

Q29. In the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championships held in New Delhi, India won a total of how many medals?
(a) 94
(b) 78
(c) 85
(d) 102

Q30. Who won the Orange Cap in WPL 2026?
(a) Harmanpreet Kaur
(b) Meg Lanning
(c) Ellyse Perry
(d) Smriti Mandhana

Q31. Sophie Devine won the Purple Cap in WPL 2026 with how many wickets?
(a) 12
(b) 14
(c) 15
(d) 17

Q32. Tejaswin Shankar won gold in the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in which event?
(a) Heptathlon
(b) Decathlon
(c) High Jump
(d) Long Jump

Q33. In the 2026 U-19 World Cup, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 175 off 80 balls. He hit how many sixes?
(a) 10
(b) 15
(c) 12
(d) 18

Q34. The Brahmaputra underwater tunnel will reduce the travel distance from Gohpur to Numaligarh from:
(a) 300 km to 50 km
(b) 180 km to 25 km
(c) 240 km to 34 km
(d) 200 km to 40 km

Q35. The Shompen tribe, affected by the Great Nicobar project, is classified as:
(a) Scheduled Tribe
(b) Other Backward Class
(c) Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)
(d) Denotified Tribe

Q36. Indira Point on Great Nicobar is approximately how far from Sabang, Sumatra (Indonesia)?
(a) 50 km
(b) 100 km
(c) 250 km
(d) 170 km

Q37. Great Nicobar Island received UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) status in:
(a) 2005
(b) 2013
(c) 2016
(d) 2020

Q38. The Brahmaputra underwater tunnel will be built in which mode?
(a) BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer)
(b) EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction)
(c) PPP (Public-Private Partnership)
(d) HAM (Hybrid Annuity Model)

Q39. The BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) was founded by:
(a) Ziaur Rahman
(b) Khaleda Zia
(c) Tarique Rahman
(d) Hussain Muhammad Ershad

Q40. Which Indian U-19 captain led India to World Cup victory in 2008?
(a) Mohammad Kaif
(b) Virat Kohli
(c) Prithvi Shaw
(d) Unmukt Chand

Q41. The Global Teacher Prize is awarded jointly by GEMS Education, the Varkey Foundation, and:
(a) UNICEF
(b) UNESCO
(c) World Bank
(d) OECD

Q42. The Strait of Hormuz is bordered by Iran on the north and which country/countries on the south?
(a) Oman and UAE
(b) Saudi Arabia
(c) Kuwait and Bahrain
(d) Qatar and Oman

Q43. The Naneghat caves contain inscriptions in which script?
(a) Brahmi
(b) Kharosthi
(c) Devanagari
(d) Tamil-Brahmi

Q44. In the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, which country topped the medal tally?
(a) India
(b) Japan
(c) Kazakhstan
(d) China

Q45. The total prize pool for the first FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship was:
(a) $1 million
(b) $3 million
(c) $5 million
(d) $10 million

Q46. India won its 6th U-19 World Cup under which captain?
(a) Ayush Mhatre
(b) Yash Dhull
(c) Prithvi Shaw
(d) Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Q47. The Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve was carved from which wildlife sanctuary?
(a) Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary
(b) Panna National Park
(c) Satpura Tiger Reserve
(d) Kanha Tiger Reserve

Q48. Regarding the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) announced in the Union Budget, consider:
1. All cities with population above 10 lakh are covered under UCF.
2. North-Eastern and hilly states are excluded from UCF coverage.
Which of the above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q49. Regarding the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, consider the following statements:
1. The FRBM Act was enacted in 2003 to provide fiscal discipline to the Central Government.
2. The Act mandates the government to limit fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP.
3. The N.K. Singh Committee recommended replacing the FRBM Act with a new Debt and Fiscal Responsibility Act.
Which of the above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All of the above

Q50. Regarding RBI’s monetary policy framework, consider the following statements:
1. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) consists of 6 members — 3 from RBI and 3 external members.
2. The primary objective of the MPC is to maintain price stability while keeping in mind the objective of growth.
3. If CPI inflation exceeds 6% for three consecutive quarters, RBI must submit a report to the government.
Which of the above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All of the above

Answer Key with Detailed Analysis

Q1. Answer: (d) Sudan, Somalia, Libya
The Delhi Declaration specifically identified sovereignty and territorial integrity concerns for Sudan, Somalia, and Libya — three nations experiencing prolonged civil conflicts and external interventions. This reflects India’s diplomatic strategy of deepening ties with the Arab world through the India-Arab League framework, which has implications for energy security (GS-III) and India’s position in West Asian geopolitics (GS-II: International Relations). India’s stance on non-interference and sovereignty aligns with its traditional NAM principles.

Q2. Answer: (a) Only 1
Treasury Bills are short-term debt instruments (91-day, 182-day, 364-day), not long-term, making pair 2 incorrect. Government Securities are indeed issued by the Reserve Bank of India on behalf of the Central and State Governments (GS-III: Economy). Understanding the distinction between G-Secs, T-Bills, and corporate bonds is fundamental to the Indian debt market structure — a topic repeatedly tested in UPSC Prelims.

Q3. Answer: (a) Ho Adivasis vs British
The 1837 Serengsia revolt was a significant tribal uprising by the Ho Adivasis in the Singhbhum region (present-day Jharkhand) against British colonial encroachment on their traditional lands and autonomy. This belongs to the broader narrative of tribal resistance movements that preceded the 1857 revolt, including the Kol uprising (1831-32) and the later Santhal rebellion (1855-56). (GS-I: Modern Indian History — tribal movements)

Q4. Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
India has dramatically increased crude oil imports from Russia, especially post-2022, making Russia one of India’s top oil suppliers. Simultaneously, Russia has invested in Indian renewable energy projects as part of bilateral energy diversification agreements. This dual-track energy relationship has implications for India’s strategic autonomy and energy security. (GS-II: International Relations; GS-III: Energy Security)

Q5. Answer: (a) 1 only
GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) were originally designed for rendering graphics in video games and visual computing. Their parallel processing architecture was later found ideal for training AI/ML models, making them indispensable for modern AI development. They were NOT designed for cryptocurrency mining — that is a secondary use case that emerged later. (GS-III: Science & Technology — understanding the AI infrastructure ecosystem is increasingly relevant for UPSC)

Q6. Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only
T-cells originate from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow but they mature in the thymus (statement 2 is correct). Statement 1 about “production” is imprecise — T-cell precursors migrate from bone marrow to the thymus for maturation. Helper T-cells (CD4+) coordinate the immune response by activating B-cells, cytotoxic T-cells, and macrophages (statement 3 is correct). Understanding immunology basics is important for GS-III Science & Technology, especially in the context of vaccine development and pandemic preparedness.

Q7. Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 4
India won the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2000 (Captain: Mohammad Kaif), 2008 (Virat Kohli), 2012 (Unmukt Chand), 2018 (Prithvi Shaw), 2022 (Yash Dhull), and 2026 (Ayush Mhatre). India did NOT win in 2014 — South Africa won that edition. So statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct. Sports achievements feature regularly in Prelims factual questions.

Q8. Answer: (d) US and Russia
The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) has been a series of bilateral agreements between the United States and Russia (formerly the Soviet Union) aimed at reducing and limiting strategic offensive nuclear weapons. START I was signed in 1991, START II in 1993, and New START in 2010. This is critical for understanding nuclear disarmament frameworks under GS-II: International Relations and bilateral diplomacy.

Q9. Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Cheetahs were brought from both Namibia and South Africa, not exclusively from South Africa — so statement 1 is incorrect. Kuno National Park is located in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh (statement 2 is correct). The Asiatic cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952, with the last recorded sighting in the Sal forests of Chhattisgarh (statement 3 is correct). (GS-III: Environment & Biodiversity — Project Cheetah is a high-frequency UPSC topic)

Q10. Answer: (b) 2 only
While India is globally the largest spice producer and exporter, it is not necessarily the single largest spice exporter specifically to the US market. However, Basmati rice is indeed one of India’s major agricultural exports to the United States, alongside spices, tea, and marine products. Understanding trade patterns is essential for GS-III: Economy and External Trade.

Q11. Answer: (c) Madhya Pradesh
Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve was notified in 2023 in Madhya Pradesh, spanning 2,339.12 sq km. It was carved from the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary. Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of tiger reserves in India, often called the “Tiger State.” This is relevant for GS-III: Environment, Biodiversity & Conservation.

Q12. Answer: (a) India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel
The Brahmaputra tunnel will be India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel and the world’s second such tunnel. It is not related to the Rohtang tunnel (Atal Tunnel), which is a highway tunnel under the Rohtang Pass. The project connects Gohpur to Numaligarh in Assam, reducing distance from 240 km to 34 km. (GS-III: Infrastructure development)

Q13. Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only
The Great Nicobar project was indeed conceptualized by NITI Aayog in 2021 (statement 1 correct), and ANIIDCO is the implementing agency (statement 2 correct). However, Great Nicobar is India’s southernmost major island, not northernmost (statement 3 is incorrect). Indira Point on Great Nicobar is India’s southernmost point. (GS-I: Geography; GS-III: Environment)

Q14. Answer: (d) Satavahana dynasty
The Naneghat caves date to the 1st century BCE and belong to the Satavahana dynasty. Located in Junnar taluka of Pune district, they contain Brahmi inscriptions recording the achievements of Satavahana rulers. The Satavahanas were the earliest rulers to issue coins with their ruler’s portrait and contributed significantly to cave architecture. (GS-I: Ancient Indian History & Culture)

Q15. Answer: (b) 20-25%
The Strait of Hormuz carries approximately 20-25% of global oil trade, making it the world’s most important oil chokepoint. Its temporary closure by Iran caused significant disruption in global energy markets. For India, which imports over 85% of its crude oil, any disruption in this strait directly impacts energy security and current account deficit. (GS-III: Energy Security; GS-II: International Relations)

Q16. Answer: (b) 3rd
Devika Sihag became the 3rd Indian woman to win a BWF title, after PV Sindhu (multiple titles including Olympic medals) and Saina Nehwal (multiple BWF Super Series titles). This represents the growing depth in Indian women’s badminton. (General Awareness: Sports)

Q17. Answer: (a) Hyderabad
Archbishop Poola Anthony heads the Archdiocese of Hyderabad. His elevation as India’s first Dalit Cardinal is significant in the context of social justice and representation within religious institutions, a topic relevant to GS-I (Indian Society) and GS-II (Social Justice).

Q18. Answer: (d) 1944
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) was established in 1944 as the apex body representing Catholic bishops in India. It serves as the collective voice of nearly 2 crore Catholics in the country. Understanding religious institutional frameworks is relevant for GS-I: Indian Society.

Q19. Answer: (c) 2023
Narges Mohammadi won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her efforts to promote human rights and freedom for all. Her continued imprisonment and additional sentencing highlight the tension between universal human rights norms and state sovereignty. (GS-II: International Relations — Human Rights)

Q20. Answer: (b) 209
BNP won 209 out of 300 seats in the Bangladesh elections, securing a commanding majority. This political shift has significant implications for India-Bangladesh bilateral relations, particularly regarding border management, water-sharing agreements, and connectivity projects. (GS-II: India and its Neighbourhood)

Q21. Answer: (b) 17 years
Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh after 17 years of self-imposed exile. As the son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and son of former PM Khaleda Zia, his return represents a dynastic political shift in Bangladesh. India must recalibrate its Bangladesh policy given BNP’s historically complex relationship with India compared to the Awami League. (GS-II: International Relations)

Q22. Answer: (c) Odisha
Paradip Port is located in Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha on the Bay of Bengal coast. It is one of India’s 12 major ports and is the largest by cargo volume. Port infrastructure development is a key component of the Sagarmala Programme. (GS-III: Infrastructure — Ports & Shipping)

Q23. Answer: (d) Byarma and Kopra
The Kopra irrigation project involves the Byarma and Kopra rivers, for which 272 hectares of forest land diversion was approved within the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve. This raises the classic development vs conservation debate in GS-III: Environment and Ecology.

Q24. Answer: (a) Great Nicobar Island
Indira Point, India’s southernmost point, is located on Great Nicobar Island. It is approximately 170 km from Sabang, Sumatra (Indonesia), making it strategically crucial for maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. (GS-I: Indian Geography; GS-II: Security)

Q25. Answer: (d) Andaman Islands from Nicobar Islands
The Ten Degree Channel (10 degrees N latitude) separates the Andaman group from the Nicobar group of islands. The Eight Degree Channel separates Minicoy from the Maldives, and Palk Strait separates India from Sri Lanka. This is a frequently asked geography question in UPSC Prelims. (GS-I: Physical Geography)

Q26. Answer: (a) Jammu & Kashmir
Rouble Nagi from J&K won the $1 million Global Teacher Prize for establishing 800+ educational centres. The prize is jointly awarded by GEMS Education, the Varkey Foundation, and UNESCO at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. (General Awareness: Awards)

Q27. Answer: (d) 90
The Dalai Lama won his first Grammy Award at the age of 90 in the Best Audio Book category. This cultural milestone highlights the intersection of spirituality, literature, and contemporary media. (General Awareness: Awards)

Q28. Answer: (a) 960
Chess960, also known as Fischer Random Chess (invented by Bobby Fischer), has 960 possible starting positions created by randomizing the back-rank piece placement while maintaining certain rules (bishops on opposite colors, king between rooks). (General Awareness: Sports)

Q29. Answer: (a) 94
India dominated the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championships in New Delhi with 94 medals (51 Gold, 23 Silver, 20 Bronze) from a field of 311 shooters representing 20 countries. India’s shooting dominance has been growing consistently ahead of major Olympic cycles. (General Awareness: Sports)

Q30. Answer: (d) Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana won the Orange Cap in WPL 2026 with 377 runs, leading RCB to their second consecutive WPL title. The Women’s Premier League has emerged as a major platform for women’s cricket in India. (General Awareness: Sports)

Q31. Answer: (d) 17
Sophie Devine (New Zealand all-rounder) won the Purple Cap with 17 wickets in WPL 2026. The growing international participation in WPL reflects the league’s global standing in women’s cricket. (General Awareness: Sports)

Q32. Answer: (a) Heptathlon
Tejaswin Shankar won gold in the heptathlon at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships. India finished 6th overall with 5 medals while China topped with 34 medals. Shankar’s versatility across seven events demonstrates India’s emerging multi-event athletes. (General Awareness: Sports)

Q33. Answer: (b) 15
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, at just 14 years of age, hit 15 sixes and 15 fours in his record-breaking 175 off 80 balls in the U-19 World Cup, becoming the first player to hit 100 Youth ODI sixes. (General Awareness: Sports)

Q34. Answer: (c) 240 km to 34 km
The Brahmaputra underwater tunnel will dramatically reduce the distance from Gohpur (NH-15) to Numaligarh (NH-715) from 240 km to just 34 km. This has both economic (connectivity to oil refineries) and strategic (military logistics near LAC) implications. (GS-III: Infrastructure)

Q35. Answer: (c) Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)
The Shompen tribe is classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) with an estimated population below 300. India has 75 PVTGs across 18 states and 1 UT. The Forest Rights Act 2006 and PESA Act 1996 provide protective frameworks for such communities. The Great Nicobar project raises serious concerns about their displacement and cultural survival. (GS-II: Governance — Tribal Rights; GS-III: Environment)

Q36. Answer: (d) 170 km
Indira Point on Great Nicobar is approximately 170 km from Sabang (Weh Island) in Sumatra, Indonesia. This proximity makes the Great Nicobar project strategically significant for monitoring the Six Degree Channel and the western approaches to the Malacca Strait. (GS-I: Geography; GS-II: Security)

Q37. Answer: (b) 2013
Great Nicobar received UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) designation in 2013. India has 18 biosphere reserves, of which 12 are part of the UNESCO MAB network. The mega project within a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve raises questions about India’s international environmental commitments. (GS-III: Environment & Ecology)

Q38. Answer: (b) EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction)
The Brahmaputra tunnel will be built in EPC mode, where the government bears the entire cost and risk. This is different from BOT or HAM models where private partners share risk. EPC is typically used for strategically important projects requiring faster execution and government control. (GS-III: Infrastructure — Project Execution Models)

Q39. Answer: (a) Ziaur Rahman
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was founded by Ziaur Rahman in 1978. He served as President of Bangladesh from 1977 until his assassination in 1981. His wife Khaleda Zia later led the party and served as Prime Minister. Understanding Bangladesh’s political dynasty is essential for GS-II: India and its Neighbourhood.

Q40. Answer: (b) Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli captained India to the U-19 World Cup victory in 2008 in Malaysia. The succession of U-19 captains who went on to represent India at the senior level — Kaif (2000), Kohli (2008), Shaw (2018), Dhull (2022) — demonstrates the U-19 pipeline’s importance for Indian cricket. (General Awareness: Sports)

Q41. Answer: (b) UNESCO
The Global Teacher Prize is jointly awarded by GEMS Education, the Varkey Foundation, and UNESCO. Often called the “Nobel of Teaching,” it carries a $1 million prize and is announced at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. (General Awareness: Awards)

Q42. Answer: (a) Oman and UAE
The Strait of Hormuz is bordered by Iran on the north and Oman (Musandam Peninsula) and the UAE on the south. The shipping lanes are only about 3 km wide, making it one of the most strategically vulnerable chokepoints in global trade. India’s dependence on Gulf oil makes Hormuz critical for its energy security calculus. (GS-I: World Geography; GS-III: Energy Security)

Q43. Answer: (a) Brahmi
The Naneghat caves contain inscriptions in the Brahmi script, recording the donations and achievements of Satavahana rulers. Brahmi is one of the earliest writing systems of South Asia, deciphered by James Prinsep in 1837. Most Ashokan edicts are also in Brahmi. (GS-I: Ancient Indian History — Epigraphy)

Q44. Answer: (d) China
China topped the medal tally at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships with 34 medals. India finished 6th with 5 medals (1 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze). China’s dominance in indoor athletics reflects their systematic sports infrastructure investment. (General Awareness: Sports)

Q45. Answer: (b) $3 million
The first FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship had a total prize pool of $3 million, with the champion Magnus Carlsen receiving $1 million. This was the first time FIDE officially organized a Chess960 (Fischer Random) world championship. (General Awareness: Sports)

Q46. Answer: (a) Ayush Mhatre
Ayush Mhatre captained India to their record 6th U-19 World Cup title in 2026 with a 100-run win over England. The standout performer was Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (14 years old) who scored 175 off 80 balls. (General Awareness: Sports)

Q47. Answer: (a) Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary
The Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve was carved from the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. Notified in 2023, it covers 2,339.12 sq km and is home to tigers, leopards, striped hyena, sambar deer, and sloth bear. It is named after the valiant Gond queen Durgavati who fought against Mughal expansion. (GS-III: Environment & Biodiversity)

Q48. Answer: (a) 1 only
The Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) announced in the Union Budget covers all cities with a population above 10 lakh. North-Eastern and hilly states are NOT excluded — rather, special provisions are made for their inclusion given their unique urban challenges. The UCF is designed to incentivize urban reform and competitive city governance, aligned with the Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT 2.0 framework. (GS-III: Urban Development; GS-II: Governance)

Q49. Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
The FRBM Act was indeed enacted in 2003 (statement 1 correct). However, while the Act sets fiscal deficit targets, the specific 3% target has been revised multiple times and is not a rigid constitutional mandate — it serves as a guideline with escape clauses (statement 2 is an oversimplification and treated as incorrect in UPSC context). The N.K. Singh Committee (2017) did recommend replacing FRBM with a new Debt and Fiscal Responsibility Act focusing on debt-to-GDP ratio as the primary anchor (statement 3 correct). Understanding fiscal frameworks is critical for GS-III: Government Budgeting and Fiscal Policy.

Q50. Answer: (d) All of the above
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) consists of 6 members — 3 from RBI (Governor as Chairperson, Deputy Governor in charge of monetary policy, and one RBI officer) and 3 external members appointed by the Government (statement 1 correct). The primary objective is maintaining price stability while keeping in mind growth (statement 2 correct — Section 45ZA of RBI Act). If inflation exceeds the upper tolerance band (6%) for three consecutive quarters, RBI must submit a report to the Government explaining reasons and remedial actions (statement 3 correct). The MPC framework was introduced via the RBI Act amendment in 2016 based on the Urjit Patel Committee recommendations. (GS-III: Monetary Policy & Banking)

Source: Compiled from PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, and official government releases — March 2026
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